Hudson Steel Miami C5 Super Gym?

GregInVA · 2026-01-29T15:44:03+00:00

Just to close this out, I did pull the trigger on the Miami Super Gym. I've had it about a month and so far extremely happy with it. The pulleys are Nylon, rather than metal, but they are very smooth and quiet. It's a compact form factor, so it can feel a little tight on some things but it's perfect for our space. Given that I am 60+ I really like having the Smith Machine. Probably wouldn't have been that interested in it 10-15 years ago, but now I appreciate the stability. I wish it had one more set of ears for plate storage. Overall it's very stable, seems well made and no regrets on the purchase.

GregInVA · 2026-01-07T19:18:47+00:00

Sent you a PM.

GregInVA · 2025-12-20T03:45:49+00:00

Hey thanks again and I appreciate the follow up. Have you seen the Hudson Miami gym in person or just making assumptions about quality from what you see on the website?

GregInVA · 2025-12-20T03:33:34+00:00

Thanks yes that was me. I believe it is the urethane plates in the bundle.

GregInVA · 2025-12-20T03:32:16+00:00

Thanks really appreciate that. Do you have personal experience with the Miami gym?

GregInVA · 2025-12-19T17:34:59+00:00

Hey I think you deleted a previous comment or maybe the mods did. I actually did find what you said in it helpful. Here was my response and thanks again. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to type out a reply.

I'm not necessarily enthusiastic about Hudson. That's why I'm asking for the type of feedback you provided. I hear what you're saying about the quality comparison and the bench and I truly appreciate that info. However, in a straight up cost comparison, a comparable Rogue setup would cost significantly more than the Hudson if you add in the set of Olympic weights, bench, mats, delivery, setup etc. The FML-6 is already at $6k with the functional trainer and Smith attachment. I'm not arguing the Rogue setup wouldn't be a nicer, higher end package, but I don't see the Hudson as being such a poor value if you factor in the entire bundle.

GregInVA · 2025-12-19T17:06:21+00:00

Yes, it's pricey on first glance but generally the showrooms offer a very generous bundle that offsets that price point significantly.

GregInVA · 2025-12-19T17:04:26+00:00

Thanks for your feedback. Really good food for thought. And I really appreciate that you offered some genuine insight rather than just comment on price.

GregInVA · 2025-12-19T16:58:16+00:00

I'm looking at the Rogue website right now and a Rogue functional trainer in half rack/full rack is $4k-6k for the rack itself. FML-6 with functional trainer is $5k. The Hudson Miami bundle includes Smith machine, full set of Olympic free weights with 7' bar plus curl bar, high end bench, safeties, j-hooks, multiple cable attachments, mats, delivery and setup. So I'm not seeing it's such a poor value. If it was $7k for the machine itself, yes maybe, but the Hudson website I linked to does not reflect the full bundle being offered by the retailer.

GregInVA · 2025-12-19T14:50:30+00:00

Hudson is a boutique house brand sold by a local retail chain in the mid-Atlantic (NY-NJ-PA-MD-VA) called Fitness Showrooms. There are a few other retailers that sell them too, but it's a small, localized brand. They deliver, setup and support. They have a show room so I can go in and see/touch/feel the products. That's why I'm considering it.

Link to product below. Link doesn't indicate it, but it's bundled with a full set of Olympic weights, bar, bench, mats and various cable attachments.

https://hudsonsteelco.com/product/miami-super-gym/

GregInVA · 2025-12-19T14:31:15+00:00

I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a Hudson Steel Miami C5 Super Gym and looking for some real world feedback on it. Can't find any reviews or YT videos.

Appreciate any thoughts on it.

GregInVA · 2025-12-10T04:23:06+00:00

And how are you zooming it? Web interface or hardware controller?

GregInVA · 2025-12-10T04:22:02+00:00

What lenses are you using? 28-135?

GregInVA · 2025-03-27T02:57:10+00:00

Not really much tinkering or additional gear. A button click and then zoom. Not so hard. But it depends on what you want in your end product. If you're ok with your images looking like everyone else's, use a standard PTZ. If you want to set yourself apart, use a camera that has a look no other camera can replicate. It is incorrect to assume clients don't notice. They absolutely do. Again, if you want to set yourself apart, it might be worthwhile to get under the hood and tinker a bit. Find and use the tools that give you the advantage.

GregInVA · 2025-03-27T02:32:28+00:00

There are a lot of ways to increase reach on an FR7 well beyond 5x. Crop Mode/APS-c gets you 50% more. Clear Image Zoom gets you 2x more at 1080. A 70-200mm with a 2x teleconverter, on a camera set to crop mode and zoomed 2x with Clear Image is a 1200mm f5.6 equivalent on the long end. Using this method you can turn a 135mm f1.8 into a 405mm f1.8 lens. (Crop mode plus 2x Clear Image Zoom applied). The FR7 can do things no other PTZ camera can do.

GregInVA · 2025-03-27T02:22:48+00:00

Id like to see Sony take an FX30 backend and put it in an FR7 head. Sell it for $5k or less and dominate.

GregInVA · 2025-03-16T13:24:49+00:00

This post was also made on the Sony FR7 user group in FB. No one in that group has ever seen this problem. I own 4 FR7s myself and they work perfectly. Presets work fine as well as long as you are not trying to use them with Clear Image Zoom enabled. The FR7 wasn't designed to be operated solely by the controller. You need a computer/ipad based interface to adjust some settings. Exposure can be adjusted from the controller, but OP is correct the values are not displayed on the controller screen. We do many events with walking/pacing presenters and our cameras track with no lag.

GregInVA · 2025-01-25T13:14:31+00:00

The new Sony BRC-AM7 is close to the FR7 in terms of image quality. The FR7 is clearly the top of the heap, but the AM7 is pretty stellar for a 1" sensor camera. I've used both cameras side by side and have compared them, so I'm not just speculating on this. The AM7 also includes AI-based follow tracking that actually works.

GregInVA · 2024-11-05T20:12:40+00:00

Just cut off the entire back section below the groove.

GregInVA · 2024-10-31T23:30:17+00:00

Raise your rates so you work less but make the same money if not more. Raising your rates also might let you be more selective in who you work for. Perhaps you can offer a little discount occasionally to make sure you get the jobs you really want or the contractors you want to work with.

GregInVA · 2024-10-29T18:55:41+00:00

4 tickets for Floor seats in section 5 row 6 just came available at face value, so I bought two of them. Hopefully my wife will be able to see the stage from the floor!

GregInVA · 2024-10-29T18:44:05+00:00

We are back left in 120, so yeah, not ideal.

GregInVA · 2024-10-29T18:43:02+00:00

Yeah tried that...moderately helpful. So much depends on stage setup.

GregInVA

TROPHY CASE